Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;fancy freckles&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Fancy Freckles’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; relatively short dark green-colored leaves; strong flowering stems; freely flowering habit with typically about four racemes per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; and light pale yellow-colored flowers with red purple-colored dots and spots and red purple-colored labellum.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘FANCY FRECKLES’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, known by the breeder's reference 280535 and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Fancy Freckles’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new rapid growing and freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and unique and attractive flower patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in 2005 in Heemskerk, The Netherlands of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Diamond Beauty’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Snow Leopard’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands in 2013.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristem propagation in a controlled environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands since July, 2013 has shown that the unique features of this new Phalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Fancy Freckles’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Fancy Freckles’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Relatively short dark green-colored leaves.     -   4. Strong flowering stems.     -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically about four racemes per         plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.     -   6. Light pale yellow-colored flowers with red purple-colored         dots and spots and red purple-colored labellum.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the female parent, ‘Diamond Beauty’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Diamond Beauty’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have more dots and         spots than flowers of plants of ‘Diamond Beauty’.     -   2. Flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have smaller dots         and spots than flowers of plants of ‘Diamond Beauty’.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the male parent, ‘Snow Leopard’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Snow Leopard’ in flower color as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are light pale yellow in color whereas flowers of plants of ‘Snow Leopard’ are pink in color.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Yellow Umbrella’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Yellow Umbrella’ in flower color as flowers of the new Phalaenopsis have more dots and spots than flowers of plants of ‘Yellow Umbrella’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Fancy Freckles’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of second sheet is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘Fancy Freckles’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the late summer in 10-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures averaged 18° C. and light levels ranged from 5 klux to 10 klux. Plants were three years old when the photographs were taken and two years eight months old when the description was taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Fancy Freckles’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Diamond Beauty’, not             patented.         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Snow Leopard’, not             patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About two weeks at             temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About three weeks at             temperatures about 28° C. to 25° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and             winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to             30° C.         -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically light yellowish             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate             temperature and age of roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright             plant habit with typically about four racemes per plant,             each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;             moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About             8 cm.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of             inflorescences.—About 38.2 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 22.5 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about             six per plant.         -   Length.—About 18.1 cm.         -   Width.—About 6.4 cm.         -   Aspect.—Horizontal to upright to slightly arching.         -   Shape.—Narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate; slightly carinate.         -   Apex.—Acute, unequal.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;             moderately glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to between             NN137B and 147A. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to             146B, towards the margins, slightly tinged with close to             146A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A             to NN137B; venation, close to NN137A. Fully expanded leaves,             lower surface: Close to 146B; towards the margins, slightly             tinged with close to 146A; venation, close to 144A. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers             arranged on axillary simple or branched racemes; typically             about four racemes per plant; each inflorescence with about             seven open flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching             inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with             three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal             transformed into a labellum and three sepals.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about two months             after flower bud initiation.         -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers             maintain good substance for about four to six months on the             plant; flowers not persistent.         -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence             apex).—About 10.4 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—About 10.8 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.8 cm. Diameter: About 1.4 cm.             Shape: Broadly oblong. Color: Close to between 145B and             150B; distally, close to N144D.         -   Flower diameter.—About 5.8 cm by 6.4 cm.         -   Flower depth.—About 2.9 cm.         -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals             and one center petal transformed into a labellum.         -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 3 cm. Width: About 3.4 cm.             Shape: Roughly rhomboidal. Apex: Rounded. Margin: Entire.             Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous,             velvety; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth,             glabrous, slightly velvety; matte. Color: When opening,             upper surface: Close to between 150C and 154D; fine dots and             spots, close to 59A. When opening, lower surface: Close to             between 150C and 154D; fine dots and spots, close to 182C.             Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 1C; fading towards the             base to close to NN155A; at the attachment point with the             column, close to N78C; fine dots and spots, close to 59B;             color does not fade with development. Fully opened, lower             surface: Close to 1C; fading towards the base to close to             NN155A; fine dots and spots, close to 182C; color does not             fade with development.         -   Labellum.—Appearance: Tri-lobed with two lateral lobes and a             central lobe. Length, lateral lobe: About 1.5 cm. Width,             lateral lobes: About 9 mm. Length, central lobe: About             2.9 cm. Width, central lobe: About 1.5 cm. Shape, lateral             lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Ovate to roughly             rhomboidal. Apex, lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe:             Cleft with two moderately long recurved cirrose tips, about             6 mm in length and about 1.1 cm in width. Margins, lateral             lobes: Entire. Margins, central lobe: Entire. Texture and             luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety;             matte. Callosities: Located at the base of the labellum and             attachment point of the lateral petals; about 3.5 mm in             length, about 4 mm in width and about 3.5 mm in height.             Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to             4D; fading towards the base to close to 7D; apex and             margins, close to or lighter than between 53D and 59C;             stripes, close to 59B. Central lobe: Close to 163C to 163D             tinged with close to 184A; fading towards the margins to             close to 184A; fading towards the apex, close to 59D; fine             dots, close to 59A; cirrose apices, close to N155D.             Callosities: Close to 12A; fine dots, close to 59A. When             opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 160B;             towards the margins, close to 59B and 59C. Central lobe:             Close to 179D; fading towards the base to close to 11A to             11D; fading towards the margins and apex to close to 59C to             59D and 64B to 64C; cirrose apices, close to N155D. Fully             opened, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 4D; fading             towards the base to close to or lighter than 7D; apex and             margins, close to or lighter than between 53D and 59C;             stripes, close to 59B. Central lobe: Close to 163C to 163D             tinged with close to 184A; fading towards the margins to             close to 184A; fading towards the apex, close to 59D; fine             dots, close to 59A; cirrose apices, close to N155D.             Callosities: Close to 12A; fine dots, close to 59A. Fully             opened, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to 160C; towards             the margins, close to 59B and 59C. Central lobe: Close to             179D; fading towards the base to close to 11A to 11D; fading             towards the margins and apex to close to 59C to 59D and 64C;             cirrose apices, close to N155D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, two lower lateral             sepals and one upper dorsal sepal. Length, lateral sepal:             About 3.2 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About 2.1 cm. Length,             dorsal sepal: About 3.2 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About             2.3 cm. Shape, lateral and dorsal sepals: Elliptic. Apex,             lateral sepal: Broadly and bluntly acute. Apex, dorsal             sepals: Obtuse. Base, lateral and dorsal sepals: Truncate.             Margin, lateral and dorsal sepals: Entire. Texture and             luster, lateral and dorsal sepals, upper and lower surfaces:             Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When opening, upper             surface: Lateral sepals: Close to 150C and 154D; fine dots,             close to 59A. Dorsal sepals: Close to between 150B, 150C and             154D; fine dots, close to 59A. When opening, lower surface:             Lateral sepals: Close to N144D; fading towards the base to             close to 145C; fine dots, close to 197B. Dorsal sepals:             Close to N144D; fine dots, close to 197B. Fully opened,             upper surface: Lateral and dorsal sepals: Close to 1C;             fading towards the base to close to NN155A; at the             attachment point with the column, tinged with close to N78C;             fine dots, close to 59B; color does not fade with             development. Fully opened, lower surface: Lateral and dorsal             sepals: Close to 151C; fading towards the margins and base             to close to 150C; fine dots, close to 197B; color does not             fade with development.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 36.6 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.             Strength: Very strong. Aspect: Upright to about 25° from             vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.             Color: Close to 147A with fine dots, close to 144A to 144B.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.4 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 30° from peduncle             axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:             Close to N144C; distally, fading to close to 150D.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 1 cm.             Column width: About 5.5 mm. Column color: Close to 155C.             Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two             pollinia): About 3 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 17B.             Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 4 mm. Stigma width: About             4 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to NN155B.             Ovary length: About 1.6 cm. Ovary diameter: About 1 mm.             Ovary color: Close to 144D. Seeds and fruits: To date, seed             and fruit development have not been observed on plants of             the new Phalaenopsis. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis     have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been     observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 10° C. to about     40° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zone 10. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Fancy Freckles’ as illustrated and described. 